Race Retro, Stoneleigh 2012

Some advance notice of the dates of next year's race Retro Historic Motorsports Show at Stoneleigh. 24th to 26th February 2012.30 years of the Porsche 956 and 30 years of HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) are the two main features.http://www.raceretro.com/default.asp?

Ted - I was there for the first time in 2011 but missed the "gathering". Please remind me of where and when?

For the last couple of years (at least) Ted's stand has been in Hall 3 and placed conveniently close to the bar and cafe - no doubt Ted will give us the exact location when he knows it. The usual meeting time is 1-00 pm.

As it was held on the 25th to 27th Feb last year, they are doing it by stealth. Oh and shouldn't it be me('s) coat(s) Pete?

Let's hope they've got the parking sorted as this year's event was farcical after the Friday night downpour caused chaos with bogged down vehicles.

I really thought that after several thousand folks freezing to death back in 2009 they had taken note; 2010 was mid March, this year it slipped back and again next year. At least some of the lesser halls have some form (or is that farm?) of heating these days.

We'll get our coats.

btw: note to Ian G- I'll be the photographer bloke with lots of coats on! We must hook up this time.

Shirley the Aurosport International event at the NEC next week-end is the place to order engineering parts? The Stoneleigh event is an old car show, for J.Public. There is hardly anything worth buying there for a serious (or even casual) racer, unless it's a pair of Chinese Mole grips you are after.

Shirley the Aurosport International event at the NEC next week-end is the place to order engineering parts? The Stoneleigh event is an old car show, for J.Public. There is hardly anything worth buying there for a serious (or even casual) racer, unless it's a pair of Chinese Mole grips you are after.

I'd go to the Autosport show if I could buy an exhibition ticket only. Trouble is they lumped in the chav show with the exhibition to up the cost to £30. Goodwood and Stoneleigh form much better value.

RACE RETRO 2012 REVS UP WITH AN AMAZING LINE-UP OF RARE RACING CARS AND MOTORCYCLESThis year's Race Retro is revving up to be the best ever, as it brings together rare and stunning historic motorsport marques on two and four wheels when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 February.

See rare and legendary racing cars such as the Group C Porsche 956 - the 001 first prototype chassis raced in Rothmans livery by Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell will be on static display. From rallying, the Group B Porsche 911 SCRS 1984 280bhp three-litre flat-six rally car will be in action on Saturday and Sunday on the Live Rally Stage as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations.

There is a tribute to 50 years of the MGB, with a foyer display of two early ex-works race cars. The hardtop roadster was driven in 1963 Sebring 12-hour endurance race by Christabel Carlisle, now Lady Watson, former Mini racer and darling of British race fans in the early 1960s, and Denise McCluggage, an American motoring journalist and lady racing driver. The roadster will be joined by the works MGB GT racer which was also driven at Sebring by Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges.

A stunning 30 years of rallying will be marked with a static display as well as an unbelievable line-up on the Live Rally Stage. Rallying with Group B will be out in force on Saturday and Sunday, putting on an amazing showcase for visitors on the purpose-built course which features challenging twists and turns.

For those preferring two-wheeled motorsport, the tribute to 30 years of the Honda Racing Corporation will be led by the only known remaining example of the Mike Hailwood RC 173 500/4-cylinder motorbike, on which he won every GP he rode it in during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. There will be up to ten more Honda RC 163 250/4-cylinder replica GP bikes for static display and in the popular Fire-Up Paddock. Hosted by Road Racing Legends, a charity supporting former TT riders and their families, the Fire Up Paddock is where legendary motorcycles are brought back to life, as they get started-up so that the crowds can hear the roar of the engines.

Visitors can not only see all the action, but can also become part of it, with the chance to drive a rally car, thanks to the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO). For just £20, visitors can 'arrive and drive' in one of HERO's rally-prepared classic cars, put it through its paces and get a feel for rally driving on a purpose-built course adjacent to the Live Rally Stage.

For those looking to invest in a piece of motorsport history, the Silverstone Auction specialises in the sale of the finest classic cars, modern supercars, all types of competition cars, modern and historic motorcycles and automobilia. The auction will be open for viewing all day on Friday and on Saturday morning. The sale will start at Saturday lunchtime with the automobilia, before moving on to classic and historic motor racing and competition cars and motorcycles. Silverstone Auctions is happy to accept entries into the auction; those interested should contact the team by telephoning 01926 691 141 or emailing enquiries@silverstoneauctions.com. Auction catalogues will be available online at www.silverstoneauctions.com.

Enjoy the interview stage, hosted by Moto GP presenter Steve Parrish, which will feature special guests and motorsport quizzes, or visit the hundreds of traders selling everything needed for the coming motorsport season. For those who like to get grease under their fingernails, explore the autojumble for that elusive part or spare component.

Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance, start at £20 in advance, with children's tickets at £5 for Friday or Saturday and FREE on Sunday. Car parking is free and has been moved to a hard-surface area nearer the halls. The show is open from 9.30am each day; it closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, please visit www.raceretro.com.

If I get my holiday request approved, I will finally make this event after some years of trying (and failing miserably). Albeit just on the Friday. My NY resolution was to attend more events after all...

Race Retro’s Porsche celebrations are continuing to grow with a stunning line up of rare and legendary cars on display and in action when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February.

As well as the display of the first prototype chassis of the Rothmans Group C Porsche 956, raced by Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell, there will also be Sir Stirling Moss’ Porsche RS 61 Spyder, one of only 14 built, brought for $1.7 million at the Amelia Island Auction in Florida to mark Sir Stirling’s 30th Wedding anniversary. They will be joined by the original Porsche 962 Group C car in Blaupunkt livery, driven to third place overall at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1988 by Frank Jelinski, John Winter and Stanley Dickens.

Joining the Group B Porsche 911 SCRS 1984 280bhp three litre flat six rally car in action on the Live Rally Stage in none other than rally legend Bjorn Waldegard who will be reunited with a very special Porsche 914/6, raced in the 1971 Monte Carlo rally, and now owned by Jamiroquai front man and car collector Jay Kay. Jay will also have a turn behind the wheel on the live rally stage that will be running on Saturday and Sunday only.

Alongside the Porsche celebrations, there will also be the 1964 AC Shelby Cobra and the only 1963 Lotus works Cortina. Both of these incredibly rare cars were raced by driver Jack Sears who will also be at the show.

Plus we’ll have the hardtop roadster, driven in 1963 Sebring 12-hour endurance race by Christabel Carlisle and Denise McCluggage and the works MGB GT racer, also driven at Sebring by Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges.

There will also be an impressive array of cars up for auction at the show. Silverstone Auctions have secured an amazing line up for its debut auction at Race Retro including a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar, widely regarded as the best one ever built, presented in its impressive Ecurie Ecosse livery. Also up for grabs is a 1976 Porsche 934 ‘Jagermeister’ race car, an exact recreation of the original which was one of the most famous and evocative cars to compete in that season’s Le Mans and European GT Championship.

There is an excuse for articles translated from other languages (where the same word can apply for both) by anyone who's first language is not English and I for one try to respect that on here and elsewhere. Otherwise, failure to recognise a rally is not a race is a heinous crime and any show, leave alone a specialist one, perpetrating it can guarantee to make some potential customers decide not to attend. (Bjorn may not be so pleased to be reunited with this thing as he will undoubtedly pretend, gentleman that he is, as being forced to drive it in 71 almost certainly cost him the Monte hat trick a 911 would have given him.)

Race Retro’s Porsche celebrations are continuing to grow with a stunning line up of rare and legendary cars on display and in action when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February.

As well as the display of the first prototype chassis of the Rothmans Group C Porsche 956, raced by Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell, there will also be Sir Stirling Moss’ Porsche RS 61 Spyder, one of only 14 built, brought for $1.7 million at the Amelia Island Auction in Florida to mark Sir Stirling’s 30th Wedding anniversary. They will be joined by the original Porsche 962 Group C car in Blaupunkt livery, driven to third place overall at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1988 by Frank Jelinski, John Winter and Stanley Dickens.

Joining the Group B Porsche 911 SCRS 1984 280bhp three litre flat six rally car in action on the Live Rally Stage in none other than rally legend Bjorn Waldegard who will be reunited with a very special Porsche 914/6, raced in the 1971 Monte Carlo rally, and now owned by Jamiroquai front man and car collector Jay Kay. Jay will also have a turn behind the wheel on the live rally stage that will be running on Saturday and Sunday only.

Alongside the Porsche celebrations, there will also be the 1964 AC Shelby Cobra and the only 1963 Lotus works Cortina. Both of these incredibly rare cars were raced by driver Jack Sears who will also be at the show.

Plus we’ll have the hardtop roadster, driven in 1963 Sebring 12-hour endurance race by Christabel Carlisle and Denise McCluggage and the works MGB GT racer, also driven at Sebring by Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges.

There will also be an impressive array of cars up for auction at the show. Silverstone Auctions have secured an amazing line up for its debut auction at Race Retro including a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar, widely regarded as the best one ever built, presented in its impressive Ecurie Ecosse livery. Also up for grabs is a 1976 Porsche 934 ‘Jagermeister’ race car, an exact recreation of the original which was one of the most famous and evocative cars to compete in that season’s Le Mans and European GT Championship.

PAR

Why oh why cant they run at least a token number of cars on the special stage on Friday?

No doubt Alan will post the latest news,but the carparking has bee changed to HARD STANDING.

New parking arrangements The organisers have arranged new parking facilities for this year’s Race Retro. Instead of parking in the surrounding fields, visitors will be directed through an alternative gate and directed to a hard surface parking area, which is much nearer to the halls. Meaning less walking and no soggy feet!